Head-to-Head Comparison · Alternative to Asana · 🗂️ project management
Asana vs Redmine
Project tracking, time sheets, Gantt, and wikis from the era when software admitted it needed configuration Here is how Redmine ($0/mo open source) stacks up against Asana ($13.49/mo) across cost, hosting, data privacy, and real-world trade-offs.
Asana vs Redmine Specification Matrix
facts verified 2026-08-10
| Dimension | Asana (Paid) | Redmine (Replacement) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Price | $13.49 / mo | $0 / mo |
| 1-Year Cost (1 seat) | $162 / yr | $0 / yr (Save $162) |
| 1-Year Cost (5 seats) | $809 / yr | $0 / yr (Save $809) |
| 1-Year Cost (10 seats) | $1,619 / yr | $0 / yr (Save $1,619) |
| Source & License | Proprietary SaaS | open source GPL-2.0+ |
| Where It Runs | Vendor Cloud | Self-host (your server) |
| Platforms | Web / Cloud | webself-hostedself-host, real ops |
| GitHub Stars | — | ★ 6.0k (active aug 2026) |
Deep Dive: Switching from Asana to Redmine
Trade-offs, installation & data architecture
What you trade away
Redmine gives up Asana's modern collaboration, mobile experience, forms, automation, portfolio reporting, and real-time polish in exchange for a highly configurable server.
How to deploy Redmine
Install the Ruby on Rails application against PostgreSQL, MySQL/MariaDB, or SQLite; packaged containers/appliances are third-party conveniences
What it takes to run
The official install is a real Rails deployment, Ruby and gem versions, database creation, migrations, a production web server, email, backups, and upgrades are all the operator's job.
Where your data lives
Issues, users, projects, time entries, and configuration live in the configured SQL database; uploaded attachments live as files in Redmine's `files` directory.
Why fork Redmine instead of vibe-coding a Asana clone?
The core loop is buildable, but a dependable replacement becomes a real weekend or multi-day project. For Asana, track team work through projects, tasks, owners, dependencies, and status updates. The hard boundary is large integration ecosystem, automation, reporting, permissions, and organizational trust, plus collaboration, integrations, and organizational trust.
Asana vs Redmine FAQ
Is Redmine a good free alternative to Asana?+
Yes. Redmine is a verified open-source (GPL-2.0+) replacement for Asana. Project tracking, time sheets, Gantt, and wikis from the era when software admitted it needed configuration
What is the catch when switching from Asana to Redmine?+
Redmine gives up Asana's modern collaboration, mobile experience, forms, automation, portfolio reporting, and real-time polish in exchange for a highly configurable server.
How much do you save switching from Asana to Redmine?+
Asana costs $13.49/mo ($162/yr) per seat, whereas Redmine is $0/mo. Switching saves $162/yr for a solo user, $809/yr for a 5-person team, and $1,619/yr for a 10-person team.
How do I install or self-host Redmine instead of Asana?+
Install: Install the Ruby on Rails application against PostgreSQL, MySQL/MariaDB, or SQLite; packaged containers/appliances are third-party conveniences. Setup: The official install is a real Rails deployment, Ruby and gem versions, database creation, migrations, a production web server, email, backups, and upgrades are all the operator's job.
